Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

This is Part 3 in an Exploring Roanoke series that covers the current (as of Summer 2008) entire 3 1/2 miles of Lick Run Greenway. The path runs from the Historic Gainsboro sign on the East end of Wells Avenue (near the large water fountain), all the way out to the Valley View area at the 4700 block of Valley View Blvd (near Best Buy).

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance: approx. 3/4 mile

When I left off last time in Part 2, things were just about to get a little more interesting as the greenway path leads directly through a section of the nearby forest.

Along the way here I have actually encountered more life in the form of scurrying wildlife, than of fellow greenway travelers. For a short while I even forget where I’m at because the only real signs of civilization in sight is the very path I’m traveling on.

Eventually, a little ways ahead a short wooden fence has been established to help guide the way. Small touches like this are probably unnecessary, but overall are a nice addition to the greenways I think.

Not too far ahead there is a clearing.

Then, I begin to notice the first signs of a playground area.

And it turns out to be a familiar place, indeed. I have reached Brown-Robertson Park (which I had visited and wrote about long before having traveled along the greenway.)

The greenway path continues along the side of the park, with the play areas and basketball court off to the right. Occasionally, I have observed a game being played as I zip on by riding my bike.

But soon enough I’ll have to slow down and stop briefly, as another road crossing is coming up. This is the crossing of 10th Street SW and is a relatively heavy traveled road.

It’s usually around this spot that I rest for a few minutes before crossing the street and continuing on my way. I believe this is roughly around the halfway point of the greenway.

So, I’ll stop here for now and pick back up next time. There is still probably 2 more parts left in this series including the culmination of being able to safely cross over I-581/Route 220 while looking down at the cars speeding past below.

Very cool, and worth the journey I think. We’ll work our way towards the end in Exploring Roanoke - Lick Run Greenway (Part 4).